Abdulaziz Ghazawi Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) President Muhammad Al-Suwaiket said the project linking Makkah to Madinah (Al-Haramain Train Project) will be ready by 2016, while adding: “Only 50 % of the project has been completed so far.” The government will invest SR365 billion to expand its 9,900-kilometer-long railway network all over the Kingdom, reiterated Al-Suwaiket, adding that 19 lines would be added to the railway network according to the Railway Master Plan (RMP). The strategic plan designed by the government envisions the railway network over the next 30 years, he said, adding that the train for the Al-Haramain Train Project would be tested in 2015. The strategic plan focuses on achieving sustainable development for the railway networks that will serve passengers and transport cargos. The network will be implemented in three phases. The first one started in 2010 and is scheduled to be completed in 2025. About 5,500-kilometer-long lines will be built for SR63billion. The second phase begins in 2026 and ends in 2033; about 3,000-kilometer-long lines to be built at a total cost of SR209 billion. The third phase begins in 2034 and ends in 2040; about 1,400-kilometer-long lines to be built at a total cost of SR93 billion. The SRO focuses in its policies on involving the public and private sectors in developing the transportation sector. The rail transit system is playing an increasing role in KSA's transport industry. The North-South railway considers the largest freight rail project, 2,750 km long, and valued at an estimated SR20 billion ($5.44 billion). The project is of strategic importance in terms of freight exports to the Gulf. The Landbridge project is another important freight line valued at SR26.6 billion ($7.24 billion). The line links the port cities of Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail, passing through Riyadh. The Haramain High Speed rail project, valued at SR51.5 billion ($14.03 billion) and owned by SRO, is built to transport pilgrims. The Riyadh Light rail, owned by Arriyadh Development Authority and valued at 9.3 billion, is expected to be completed by 2018. The Jeddah metro is another planned project valued at SR 35 billion ($9.5 billion). The number of railway passengers is expected to reach 3.37 million passengers by 2014. In terms of freight, about 15 million tons of goods and materials is expected to be transported through the railways by 2014.
